The Disasters Emergency Committee has appointed Saleh Saeed as chief executive to take over when current CEO, Brendan Gormley steps down in September.

Saeed was chief executive of Islamic Relief for almost four years, between June 2008 and February 2012. During this time the charity’s income grew by nearly 45 per cent from £48m to £70m.

Since February he has been working as a management consultant. Before joining the international aid sector he managed digital inclusion projects and has worked for Microsoft-backed Black Country Consortium and for Sandwell Council.

Saed said: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to lead the DEC. I am especially keen to add to the DEC’s collective strength and public reputation by further developing our digital fundraising and enhancing our approach to accountability.”

Current chief executive Brenan Gormley has led the DEC for 12 years and does not plan to take on another full-time role. He now sits on the Lead Expert Group for the Improving future Disaster Anticipation Project, which is part the Foresight work for the Government Office for Science. He also plans to continue as a trustee at the Noel Buxton Trust and One World Media Trust.